Who Established Arab Open University?
The idea of establishing Arab Open University in Arab region as a non-profit project belongs to the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of Arab Gulf Program for Development – AGFUND. In 1996 he announced his initiative to establish an Arab Open University as an unconventional academic entity and as an institution contributing in directing development in the scientific, social and cultural fields.
Why was the university established?
The university was established to offer education for all groups of society, enable them to develop their countries, overcome all obstacles facing them, and provide equal opportunities regardless of gender, color, race, economic and social conditions, spatial and temporal.
Are there branches of the university within the Arab world?
The Arab Open University practices its educational and academic activities in nine Arab countries (Saudi Arabia - Kuwait - Bahrain - Sultanate of Oman - Egypt - Jordan - Lebanon - Sudan - and Palestine).
Are there branches in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Yes, there are six branches of the university in Saudi Arabia in the following cities:
Riyadh - Jeddah - Dammam - Medina - Al-Ahsa - Hail
What distinguishes the Arab Open University?
First: It is the most widespread university in the Arab region: The university is spread in nine Arab countries, and this spread achieves a secure base of diverse competencies, including academic experience at the level of the Arab region and the exchange of distinct experiences and expertise.
Second: It’s educational system: the university offers a systematic (integrated) educational system that balances between traditional learning and e-learning. It aims to help the learner to achieve the targeted learning outcomes, by merging between the forms of traditional learning in which the student receives learning through direct classroom meetings and E-learning methods inside and outside the classroom.
Third: Arab Open University holds an academic and institutional accreditation from the Open University in the United Kingdom.
Fourth: It is subject to four types of performance evaluation: evaluation of external examiners, external evaluation (international) from the Open University in Britain, local evaluation from the Ministry of Education, internal evaluation within the framework of the university (quality assurance).
Fifth: The first university to offer programs for the deaf and hard of hearing in the Arab world.
Sixth: More than 120 different nationalities are studying at the Arab Open University.
What are university’s admission conditions?
The applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
a. Obtain a high school diploma issued by the Saudi Ministry of Education or its equivalent from other countries, provided that they are approved by the relevant authorities
b. Perform the "assessment test" approved by the "National Center for assessments".
c. High school certificate should be a "scientific track" in order to be admitted to the College of Computer Studies.
What are the programs offered at the university?
- Bachelor of Information Technology and Computing
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of English Language and Literature
What are the majors and paths accredited to the university?
Bachelor of Computer Studies
- Information Technology and computing Path
- Computer Science Path
- Network and Security Path
- Web development path
- Computing and Business Path
Bachelor of Business Studies
- Systems path
- Marketing Path
- Accounting Path
Bachelor of English Language and Literature
What is the language of study at the university?
English Language
Is there a placement test to determine the linguistic level of the student?
A. All new students shall take a placement test in Arabic and English.
B. Non -Arabic speakers are excluded from taking the Arabic placement test.
C. Exclusion from taking the placement test in the English language or exempting from the some of the courses, is based on the marks mentioned in the table below and according to the student level in each of the TOFEL, IELTS, or STEP exams, provided that it has not been two years since the student passed the mentioned tests
| | | | Paper Based
| Computer Based
(CBT) | Internet based (IBT)
| |
| EL097 | 51 | 3 | 397 | 93 | 30 | EL097 |
| EL098 | 64 | 4 | 437 | 123 | 41 | EL098 |
| EL099 | 76 | 4.5 | 477 | 153 | 53 | EL099 |
| EL111 | 88 | 5.5 | 513 | 183 | 65 | EL111 |
| EL112 | 99 | 6.5 | 550 | 213 | 79 | EL112 |
What is the study period to obtain a bachelor's degree?
The duration of the study is four academic years, each two semesters is considered an academic year. Registration is also available in summer semesters. This duration will be considered in the event that the student passes the three intensive course levels in the placement test for the English language.
Is there an upper and lower limit for the academic credits registered in each semester?
First: The registered academic credits must not be less than 12 credit hours per semester, and the College Council may reduce that limit to 9 credit hours. It must not exceed 21 hours for both the first and second semester, and the university rector may raise that limit to 24 credit hours for the student expected to graduate.
Second: Those whose GPA is less than two points are not allowed to register more than 16 credit hours.
Third: The maximum credit hours that a student registers in the summer semester is twelve (12) credit hours. The maximum limit may be raised to sixteen (16) credit hours for the student expected to graduate with the prior approval of the rector.
Fourth: The minimum registration academic credits are three (3) credit hours.
How can a complaints or suggestions be submitted?
The student can submit a complaints or suggestions through the following systems:
- SIS, complaints and inquiries system.
- Student's e-mail.
- LMS Learning Management System.
- Academic Advising Unit.
Does the university adopt the preparatory year system?
The university’s education system is credit hours system, so a student can, through placement tests, pass preparatory year and register major courses from the first semester at the university.
Are the preparatory year counted within the required credits for the program?
The Intensive Courses Program does not fall within the number of credit hours for the program (EL099 - EL098-EL097)
Is it possible to register major courses during the preparatory year?
Yes, it is possible to register major courses during the first year if the prerequisite is fulfilled.
What is meant by even week and odd week in the school schedule?
Each semester in Arab Open University extends from (14-16) weeks. The first, third, fifth week, etc. are odd weeks. The second, fourth, sixth week, etc. are even weeks.
There are courses that are taught every two weeks, and therefore they are taught in add or even weeks, and there are courses taught weekly.
What are the means of communication at the university?
Through the e-mail of the following university administration and staff :
- Student Affairs (std.affairs@arabou.edu.sa)
- Admission and Registration (en@arabou.edu.sa)
- Public Relations (pr@arabou.edu.sa) Or through social media, as follows:
- Twitter: AOU_KSAB
- Facebook: AOU_SAB
- Snapchat: aou_ksab
- Instagram: aou_ksab
What are the admission and registration procedures at the university?
1- The original High school certificate or its equivalent, or an original stamped copy from the school.
The following cases are considered:
- If the high school diploma is issued by an Arab country, it must be certified by the State’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Saudi cultural mission in that country.
- If the secondary certificate is issued by a non-Arab country, it must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country and by the Saudi cultural mission in that country, then request for equivalency from the Saudi Ministry of Education or its departments in the regions.
- The High school certificate issued by international foreign schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be certified by the Department of Foreign and Private Education in the Education Department or the Ministry.
- Also, it must be certified by the Examinations Department and admission to the Education Department or the Ministry.
2- Original passport + a copy of it.
3- Original proof of identity + a copy of it (national ID or residence card), provided that the student's residency is valid.
4- 2 recent personal photos, 6 x 4.
Is there an equivalence for courses studied in other universities or colleges?
Students may apply for an equivalence of courses during their first semester. The courses have to be studied at another recognized educational institution, in accordance with the procedures specified in the bylaw "Basics of equivalence of decisions in the Arab Open University"
The following conditions and controls must be met:
- The student must have a ‘c’ grade or above in the courses.
- The course content should match at least 80% of the content of the Arab Open University course
- That the number of course credit hours (the number of units) is not less than the number of credit hours of the Arab Open University course
What are the documents required for courses equivalency?
- Equivalence form.
- Certified and stamped transcript.
- Certified and stamped course description.
What is academic warning and is there a limit for warning?
- The student who has a GPA of less than two points is warned at the end of any semester except for the admission semester and the summer semester.
- The students will be dismissed from the university if they have five consecutive warnings, not including the summer semester. For more details: Refer to ‘achieving a bachelor's degree bylaws,’ article (25).
What are the consequences for an academic warned student?
Warned students mat only register a maximum of 16 in one semester. If they get five academic warnings they will be dismissed from the university, however, they may re-enroll in another program.
Is it possible to postpone or discontinue the study?
Postponement
A continuous student (not a fresh one) may submit a request to postpone the study, within a period not exceeding two weeks from the beginning of the semester, provided that the postponement period does not exceed six semesters, whether continuous or discontinuous semesters, and it is not counted from the upper limit of the allowed period of study to finish Graduation requirements.
discontinuous:
If a student is not enrolled in any course during one semester, the student will be labled as a discontinued student in that semester. The discontinuous semester will be counted as part of the permitted study period.
The student may not be discontinued for more than three consecutive or interrupted semesters.
Is the student allowed to transfer between academic colleges?
Yes, the student may transfer between academic colleges in the specified period (for inquiries, please see the Admission and Registration Department)
Is the student allowed to move between tracks inside the college?
Yes, the student may transfer between tracks within the College in the specified period (for inquiries, please refer to the Admission and Registration Department)
Is it possible to transfer between university branches and what are the procedures for that?
Yes, the student may transfer between the university’s branches in Arab regions before the start of each semester (for inquiries, please see the Admission and Registration Department)
Is it possible to transfer between the branches within Saudi Arabia and what are the procedures for that?
Yes, the student may transfer between the six branches of the university in Saudi Arabia before the start of each semester (for inquiries, please see the Admission and Registration Department)
Where can students find the mid-term exams calendar?
Through announcements on the university's website, and course pages on the Learning Management System (LMS).
Is there a possibility to add or drop a registered course?
Yes, it is possible to add or drop any course during the registration or adding and dropping periods.
1
| Before the beginning of classes
| 100%
| Doesn’t show
|
2
| After add and drop period
| 70%
| W
|
3
| After the third week
| 0%
| W
|
How to drop a course ?
The student may drop any course, one week before the start of the final exams, the course fees are not refundable and the dropping request is submitted through Admission and Registration Department.
How can students apply for a withdrawal from the university?
By filling the university withdrawal form and sending it to the admission and registration department from the student email.
Are there conditions for obtaining an official transcript?
That the student has registered courses and paid the official transcript fees.
How can I get the academic plan for the academic program?
All academic plans for academic programs are available on the university’s website under the Academics tab, or through academic programs.
Can students change the times of their schedule?
Yes, they can before the start of the classes and during the specified registration period.
What are the procedures required to issue a student card?
To be a student at the university, have a student ID number, and pay the student card fees.
Does the university offer a scholarship to the student?
Yes, there are two scholarship types at Arab Open University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
What are the types of scholarships and what are their conditions?
Excellence Scholarships:
Scholarships are given to outstanding students who have cumulative GPA of (3.67-4.00), completed at least two semesters at Arab Open University, and accomplished at least (32 credit hours).
Arab Open University Scholarships (Student Fund):
The student must be registered at Arab Open University in the semester in which he applies for the scholarship.
The student has accomplished a minimum of 16 hours.
The student has a GPA of no less than 2.00.
The student paid all previous fees.
The student paid the all fees except for the academic credit fees.
(For inquiries, please refer to the Student Affairs Department).
How can I get a student identification letter?
First, pay the letter fees. Then, request it through the Student Affairs Department.
How can a student submit a postponement of the midterm exam?
Submit the excuse to Student Affairs Department after paying the postponing exam fees.
For cases that have compulsory excuses, fees are excluded.
How can a student submit a postponement request for the final exam?
Submit the excuse to Student Affairs Department after paying the postponing exam fees.
For cases that have compulsory excuses, fees are excluded.
How can students pay their fees?
There are two payment methods:
1- Direct payment via the electronic payment service through the university's website after entering the student system.
2- Payment via the payment service of the invoice number 017.
Knowing that depositing or transferring to university accounts is permissible permissible, and the student bears any consequences for that, his schedule has been deleted.
How much are the fees of one semester?
The tuition fees for one semester depends on the number of hours that the student registers, however, the estimated cost ranges between 6,000 - 10,000 Saudi riyals.
In case the student drops a course during add and drop period, is there a deduction on the refunded price?
If a course is dropped during the add and drop period, the full price will be refunded.
What is meant by the financial disclosure?
The student's financial disclosure is the amount recorded in the student information system as the amount the student has not paid.
Can the student register courses and then pay the previous financial disclosure?
The student must pay all the previous financial disclosures before registering any new courses.
Is there a system for tuition fees installment? What are its conditions?
A. Filling the installment application form manually by the student, the form may be requested from Student Affairs Department.B. Ensure that the student meet following conditions:
1. The student must be registered for the courses in the semester in which he applies for the installment application.
2. The student's GPA must not be less than 2.00 out of 4.
3. The student must not have any previous financial depts.
4. The student must pay all fees, except the credit fees, until the installment committee decides whether to approve or not the application.
the mechanism for getting installments
| 1 | Fresh student | NA | NA |
| 2 | EL097 | NA | NA |
| 3 | Accomplished hours <20 | 80% of tuitions | 20% of tuitions |
| 4 | Accomplished hours are between 20 and 89 | 70% of tuitions | 30% of tuitions |
| 5 | Accomplished hours <90 | 50% of tuitions | 50% of tuitions
|
What is the student’s email?
The student's e-mail is a mail created on the university's server and domain (@ aou.edu.sa) once a student's ID number is issued. The email consists of the student's ID preceded by the letter (S). For example (S123456@aou.edu.sa), given that 123456 is the student’s ID number.
How can the student's email be accessed?
- Go to the university’s website on this link (http://web.arabou.edu.sa/en/)
- Click on the Student E-Mail tab
- Enter the user name and password
The student email can be used to request all student services and inquires, and to contact all administrative and academic staff.
What is the Student Information System (SIS)?
It is an electronic system that contains all student’s information, starting with their admission application to their registered courses, academic results in each semester, and tuition fees until the student graduates from the university.
How can SIS be accessed?
Through the student information system link, which is listed on the university’s website
What are the services provided by the Student Information System (SIS)?
The student can benefit from the student information system through the following services:
- Courses registration.
- Check semester tuition.
- Check the assessments results.
- Check the study plan.
- Check available and closed courses’ sessions.
- Submit inquiries, complaints, or appeals to the assessments results.
What if Student Information System (SIS) cannot be accessed?
Contact technical support representatives via the university's phone numbers, or e-mail.
What is the Learning Management System (LMS)?
It is an electronic system or computer program designed to assist in managing, monitoring and evaluating training and education.
That's where all the learning activities takes place remotely. It is also described as an e-learning platform. It is one of the most important modern tools for distance learning.
What are the services provided by the Learning Management System (LMS)?
Students can browse the course contents that they registered.
Students can submit electronic Homework, electronic tests.
Students can browse course supporting materials.
The system allows students to communicate with their tutors and colleagues in the course through specialized forums.
What can be done when the Learning Management System (LMS) cannot be accessed?
Contact the technical support.
How to access e-courses in the Learning Management System (LMS)?
Go to the course page of the Learning Management System (LMS), then enter the centralized LMS (CLMS), then press (Mc-Graw-Hill) icon.
How to access the virtual lectures in the Learning Management System (LMS)?
Go to the course page of the Learning Management System (LMS), then click on the lecture link.
Is there a set time for receiving textbooks?
Yes, there is a specific time for receiving books, after that the student is not entitled to receive their books. That period is announced in the university's website each semester.
If the student fails a course, will he pay the book fees again?
The student does not pay the books fees again if the same course is re-examined and the book was received the first time (pre-taken). In the event that the course book changes due to an update in the study plans, the student must pay the fees for the new books for the course.
Is a student entitled to purchase a book that is not included in his study plan?
Yes, the student can purchase any book he wants outside his study plan by paying the price of the book.
Can a student be exempt from the price of a book?
The student can only be exempt from the price of a book if their first degree relative (brother, sister, or husband) is a student at the university in the same major and the book was previously received, with the exception of the e-books.
Can a student returns books after receiving them?
Books can be returned in one case; if the student accidentally registered the course and it is not part of his study plan.
Can the student, after receiving the book sets and discover that there is a deficiency in it, claim the missing part?
Students must check their books the moment they receive them. After receiving them, they cannot claim that they are not complete.
Can a student be delivered part of a book set?
This can be done in special cases such as the late arrival of parts of the book set from the supplier. In this case, the student is delivered the set as a partial recipient on the system.
Can students exchange books if they fail the course and book edition got change?
The student can only exchange books, after paying for the new book.
If students receive books and withdraw from the university, then register again with a new ID number, may they exempt the books fees that they received by the previous ID number?
The students can be exempt from the books fees if they received them with the old ID number, after making sure that he received them.
Can a student registered in one branch in Saudi Arabia receive books from another branch in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, they can. For example, a student registered in the Dammam branch can receive from Jeddah branch or any other branch of the university within Saudi Arabia.
Can a student exchange the book in the event of a typo in the content of the book?
The student may return any book that has a typographical problem or damage after receiving it. The book will be exchanged with another copy.
Can a student exchange his book with a newer version if two editions are used at the same time?
The student cannot exchange the book with the newer version if the two editions have the same content and there is no fundamental difference between them.
Can a student return books if he withdraws completely from the university?
The withdrawing student can return the books received in the registration or adding and dropping periods after which he cannot return the books received.
Can the student receive the textbooks before fully paying the learning resources fees (for installers)?
The student does not receive his textbooks until after the administrative fees, including the of the learning resources fees, have been fully paid.
How can student benefit from the electronic services provided by the university library?
The electronic library can be accessed through the Learning Management System (LMS). There is also a guide for students in the learning resources department on how to access the electronic library.
What are the necessary procedures for students expected to graduate?
Update their data on the student information system
Consult the academic department to ensure the number of hours remaining as a requirement for graduation.
Consult admission and registration department to complete the procedures
When is the graduation certificate issued?
Graduation certificates are issued after the graduation is approved, usually one month after the final results confirmed, slightly more.
What are the certificates that the student gets upon graduation?
The student gets three certificates upon graduation:
- Certificate from the Arab Open University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and approved by the Ministry of Education.
- Certificate from the Open University in Britain.
- Kuwaiti certificate (mural).
Does the university hold a graduation ceremony?
Yes, the university holds an annual graduation ceremony for its graduates, held in February every year.
Are there fees to participate in the graduation ceremony?
Participation of students in the graduation ceremony for a nominal amount of the official graduation uniform with invitation cards for the ceremony.
